Comparison · 2 picks
CRBN 1X vs Engage Pursuit Pro EX 6.0 UK 2026
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Two premium paddles UK tournament players keep weighing up in 2026: the CRBN 1X (thermoformed T700 carbon, standard shape, ~£209) and the Engage Pursuit Pro EX 6.0 (hybrid graphite, cheaper at ~£169). They aim at different player profiles but compete in the same review threads, so let's put the buying decision down clearly.
At a glance
All 2 options side by side.
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £150 | $129.99 |
| Best for | The CRBN 1X is the right choice for tournament players who want thermoformed carbon performance with a more forgiving sweet spot than the elongated tournament paddles. | The Pursuit Pro EX 6.0 is the right choice for control-first players who want premium build at a sub-£200 price. |
| Review | Read review → | Read review → |
| Buy |
The picks in detail
CRBN CRBN 1X
Bottom line. The CRBN 1X is the right choice for tournament players who want thermoformed carbon performance with a more forgiving sweet spot than the elongated tournament paddles. Best for all-court 4.0+ players.
Pros
- Toray T-700 raw carbon face delivers high spin retention
- Choose 13mm (fast) or 16mm (control) - paddle for your style
- Thermoformed unibody construction (premium-tier build)
- £220 is meaningfully cheaper than Perseus (£280) and Power Air Invikta (£250)
- Hybrid shape (16.0×7.5) provides forgiving sweet spot
Cons
- UK warranty support is via US import channels - slower than Selkirk UK or JOOLA UK
- Lower brand recognition than JOOLA / Selkirk in UK tournament scene
- Grip circumference 4 1/8" small - overgrip needed for larger hands
- Limited UK retail availability vs the major brands
Engage Engage Pursuit Pro EX 6.0
Bottom line. The Pursuit Pro EX 6.0 is the right choice for control-first players who want premium build at a sub-£200 price. Best for tournament dinkers and intermediate-to-advanced all-courters.
Pros
- Top-class spin retention via raw T700 fibre face (94% in independent testing)
- Very high twist weight (7.37) - exceptionally forgiving sweet spot
- Non-thermoformed build delivers power without harsh impact feel
- Lite and Standard weight options
Cons
- Not sold by UK retailers - importing from Engage's US store (around $129.99 USD) adds international shipping and import charges
- 16mm thickness favours control + forgiveness over outright attack
- Engage's current store lists the line as Pursuit Pro EX 15.2 / EX 12.7 (thickness naming, no 'EX 6.0' listing) - confirm the exact model before ordering
CRBN 1X vs Engage Pursuit Pro - the headline difference
The simplest framing: CRBN 1X is the thermoformed power + spin pick, Engage Pursuit Pro EX 6.0 is the controlled-feel value pick. Both are premium paddles but they emphasise different aspects of the game.
Three things drive the difference:
- Face technology: CRBN uses thermoformed T700 textured carbon - more grit for spin, more energy return on drives. Engage uses a hybrid graphite face with their own ControlPro-X texture - smoother contact, more dwell time, less raw power.
- Shape: CRBN 1X is a standard shape (16in × 7.875in approximate) - wider sweet spot than elongated tournament paddles. Engage Pursuit Pro EX 6.0 is similarly standard-shape with slightly different proportions but the same wider-sweet-spot bias.
- Price: CRBN 1X £200-230 UK street; Engage Pursuit Pro EX 6.0 £160-180 UK. The £40 gap is meaningful at this tier - whether it's worth it depends on whether you'll use CRBN's extra spin generation.
How do they play head-to-head?
Practical takeaways for a 4.0+ UK tournament player using both paddles back-to-back:
- Drives from the baseline: CRBN wins. The thermoformed carbon face generates more pace and ball exit speed. The Engage's hybrid graphite trades a bit of pace for cleaner contact feel.
- Spin generation: CRBN wins decisively. T700 textured carbon holds the ball longer through topspin drives and slice resets. The Engage Pursuit Pro is competent on spin but materially behind CRBN.
- Dinks and resets: Engage wins. The hybrid graphite face gives a softer, more dwelling feel - control players find it more predictable on touch shots.
- Hand-speed at the kitchen: Roughly equal. Both standard-shape paddles are comparable for fast-hands exchanges.
- Sweet spot: Both are more forgiving than elongated tournament paddles. Marginal edge to the Engage (slightly wider effective sweet spot due to weight distribution).
- Build durability: Engage edges CRBN here - Engage's QC track record is older and the Pursuit Pro line has been refined across multiple iterations. CRBN is also good but newer.
Who is each paddle right for?
Pick CRBN 1X
Spin-and-power 4.0+ tournament players
Pick Engage Pursuit Pro EX 6.0
Control-first players + value buyers
Specifications side-by-side
For the specifications-conscious buyer:
- CRBN 1X: 16in × 7.875in standard shape, 14mm thermoformed polypropylene core, textured T700 carbon face, 7.7-8.1 oz typical weight, 5.25in grip length, USAPA approved.
- Engage Pursuit Pro EX 6.0: 16.5in × 7.5in slightly elongated standard shape, 14mm polypropylene core, hybrid graphite ControlPro-X face, 7.8-8.2 oz typical weight, 5.25in grip length, USAPA approved.
For deeper individual reviews see our CRBN 1X review and look for the Engage Pursuit Pro EX 6.0 review (coming soon).
Where to buy in the UK
Both paddles are available through UK retail but the channels differ:
- CRBN 1X: Pure Racket Sport is the main UK stockist at £200-220 typical; PickleballGB occasionally; Amazon UK intermittent stock at £210-235. New-release demand clears stock fast on the CRBN line - check stock weekly when you're ready to buy.
- Engage Pursuit Pro EX 6.0: Pure Racket Sport and PickleballGB stock consistently at £160-180. Engage's older brand-presence in UK pickleball means stock tends to be steadier. Amazon UK has intermittent stock at similar prices.
Both paddles see end-of-season discounts (October-December) typically taking 15-25% off. If you can plan around those windows the headline £40 gap can be closer to £20.
Frequently asked questions
Q01Is the £40 price difference worth it for the CRBN 1X?
Q02Which has the better sweet spot - CRBN 1X or Engage Pursuit Pro?
Q03Are both paddles suitable for tournament play?
Q04How long do these paddles last?
Q05Which paddle has better UK warranty support?
Q06What other paddles should I consider in this price tier?
The bottom line
For UK tournament players choosing between these two, the decision comes down to playing style and budget. If you score from the baseline with heavy spin and pace, the CRBN 1X earns its £40 premium - the thermoformed carbon advantage is real and shows up in match play. If you score at the kitchen with dinks, resets, and patient construction, the Engage Pursuit Pro EX 6.0 is the smarter buy - premium feel at a noticeably lower price.
If you're in the £180-220 budget range and can't try both, default to the Engage Pursuit Pro EX 6.0 - it's the more universally suitable paddle and easier to forgive on off-centre hits. Move up to the CRBN 1X when you know you want the spin-and-power advantage and you're consistently making clean contact. Both paddles are excellent products at the tier; neither is a bad buy.
Check current CRBN 1X and Engage Pursuit Pro UK prices
Pure Racket Sport and PickleballGB stock both reliably; end-of-season sales offer the best value.